Victim of Apparent Case of Severe Child Abuse Dies

NASHVILLE, Tenn.— Six-month-old Heaven Hamilton died Saturday at Vanderbilt Children’s Hospital where she was rushed last Tuesday with extreme head trauma.

Robert Simmons, the boyfriend of Heaven’s mother, Rose Hamilton, babysat Heaven Tuesday while Hamilton was away. During the day, Simmons was also watching three other children, ages four, three and one, who were staying at the motel. When Hamilton returned to the motel room, she found that Heaven was in distress with a swollen head. She called for help.

Simmons, 35, is a convicted sex offender who received a six-year sentence in 2006 for attempted aggravated sexual battery against a child under the age of 13. Youth Services detectives arrested Simmons Tuesday on two counts of violating the provisions of the state’s sex offender registry law. State Probation & Parole also obtained warrants charging Simmons with violating the probation he received in relation to his conviction last July for violating the state’s sex offender registry law.

Simmons remains under investigation in connection with the injuries suffered by Heaven. He is being held in the Metro Jail in lieu of $72,500 bond.